Bournville College has axed more than 100 staff – a quarter of its workforce – as it battles to save £6.5 million.

It has been engulfed by a financial crisis which prompted 110 redundancies in the past year.

Staff numbers have been cut from 439 to 329 amid anger from some employees.

One said: “This so-called educational establishment – which is supposed to be providing education and training for students in order for them to get jobs – is sacking its qualified staff.

“If an educational establishment is prepared to do this, what chance has anyone got and what message does it send out – why bother training at all?”

Of the 110 to have lost their jobs, 109 left voluntarily while one was made compulsorily redundant, said the college.

The £66 million state-of-the-art establishment opened four years ago after relocating from Selly Oak to Longbridge.

A spokeswoman admitted it was suffering “financial challenges”, although the exact details were not revealed.

She said: “Since last November, the college has gone through a significant period of change, including a new management team and governing body.

“Our individual financial circumstances and severe and continuing cuts within the sector have led to the college – like many others both regionally and nationally – having to make savings which have unfortunately resulted in 110 job losses over the last 12 months.

“We have been open and honest with the staff and have worked closely with the unions, including joint consultation, throughout this process.”

Michele Sutton stepped in as interim principal last November when former head Norman Cave retired after being diagnosed with cancer.

She said: “Our primary focus is and always will be the students.

“Providing them with an environment in which they will achieve their qualifications and progress further is at the heart of what we stand for.”

Rednal-based teaching union NASUWT warned earlier this month that many sixth form colleges faced financial crises because of Government funding cuts.

General secretary Chris Keates said: “One of the most disgraceful aspects of the attacks on education by this Government is the attack on sixth form college funding.

“They have experienced deeper cuts to their budgets than any other education institutions.

“These cuts, combined with increasing costs and on-going funding inequalities, have left many in a parlous financial state.

“The cuts to this important area of education are an attack on the educational opportunities, future and life chances of young people across the country.”